Author: Craig Finch

In the journey of life, courage is often the unsung hero that propels us toward change and growth. It’s the force that challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown.

Bonnie Garmus aptly reminds us, “Courage is the root of change – and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.”

This powerful statement is a call to action, urging us to break free from the constraints of fear and self-doubt and to boldly chart our own course, both personally and financially.

The first step in this journey is recognising that fear is a natural part of the human experience. It’s not something to be ashamed of, but rather a signal that we are on the cusp of something significant.

Embracing courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it means acknowledging our fears and choosing to move forward regardless. In the context of financial planning, this might mean taking calculated risks, such as investing in a new venture, pursuing further education to enhance career prospects, or even making a significant life change like relocation for better opportunities.

Courage also involves challenging societal expectations and stereotypes that often hold us back. This is particularly relevant when it comes to financial independence and empowerment. For too long, many have been constrained by narrow definitions of what they can achieve based on gender, race, economic status, or religion. Embracing courage means rejecting these limitations and believing in our unique abilities and potential. It’s about taking control of our financial destiny, whether it’s negotiating for a well-deserved raise, starting a business, or managing our investments proactively.

Moreover, courage is about self-discovery and embracing our talents. Each of us has unique skills and passions that, when nurtured, can lead to fulfilling and financially rewarding careers or ventures. It requires the bravery to pursue what truly resonates with us, even if it goes against the conventional wisdom of what is considered a “safe” or “practical” career path.

But courage isn’t just about grand gestures; it’s also found in the small, everyday decisions we make. It’s in the discipline of saving a portion of our income, the diligence of creating and sticking to a budget, and the perseverance in paying off debt. These actions might seem mundane, but they require a consistent commitment to our long-term financial well-being.

As we look ahead, let’s use Garmus’ words as a mantra: “Ask yourself what YOU will change. And then get started.” This change could be in how we approach our finances, how we view our capabilities, or how we plan for our future. It’s about setting goals that reflect our true aspirations and taking actionable steps to achieve them.

By embracing courage, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities. We become architects of our own destiny, capable of crafting a life that is as financially sound as it is personally fulfilling. Let this be the year we tap into our courage, challenge the status quo, and ignite the change we wish to see in our lives.

Change, a constant companion in our journey through life, often becomes a focal point as we transition into a new year. However, its principles are timeless, transcending the boundaries of calendars and seasons.

The essence of change lies in grand resolutions and the subtle shifts of our everyday choices – from our thoughts and attitudes to our actions. Significantly, these changes, no matter how small, can profoundly impact our finances and social environment.

At the heart of all change lies the power of mindset. Our perception and approach to life’s challenges and opportunities shape our reality. The beliefs and attitudes we hold are the blueprints of the future we are building. When we adopt a growth mindset, we open ourselves to possibilities, learning, and adaptation.

This perspective allows us to see beyond temporary setbacks, viewing them as stepping stones to greater achievements. This mindset directly influences our financial decisions – encouraging us to invest in our growth, seek new opportunities, and approach financial planning with optimism and strategy.

Actions, the physical manifestations of our thoughts, are where change becomes visible. The choices we make daily, from the minor to the monumental, set the trajectory of our lives. In the realm of finance, this translates to budgeting with intention, conscious spending, and thoughtful investment. It means being intentional about only allowing expenses that align with our values and goals, and being mindful of the long-term implications of our financial habits.

The change within us inevitably radiates outward, influencing the world around us. Meaningful social change often begins in the most intimate settings – our homes. How we manage our resources, engage with our family members about finances, and model fiscal responsibility can have lasting impacts on our immediate community. These homegrown changes can inspire others, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our personal sphere.

Understanding that all change, including financial change, has a social dimension is crucial. Our financial decisions can impact our community, whether through supporting local businesses, engaging in ethical investing, or participating in community-based financial initiatives. As we navigate our financial journey, we can contribute to a larger narrative of social responsibility and collective progress.

In essence, change is not an event but a process – a continuous evolution of our mindset, actions, and their subsequent impact on our personal and social worlds. It’s a journey of aligning our financial decisions with our deepest values and aspirations, understanding that every choice we make, no matter how small, contributes to our well-being and the world we live in.

As we embrace the principle of change, let us remember that it’s not confined to the start of a new year. Change is an ongoing opportunity to reshape our lives and, by extension, our finances and our world. It’s about making each day count, each decision matter, and understanding that the greatest changes often start with a single thought, a simple action, a moment of reflection.

Here’s to embracing change in all its forms, for it is the path to growth, fulfilment, and a better world for ourselves and future generations.

At any moment during the year, finding the space to pause and reflect is more than just a breather; it’s a chance for a transformative new start. It’s an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day grind, to reassess and to break free from the habitual patterns that often govern our approach to planning and organising both our lives and our finances. By stepping outside these familiar routines, we open ourselves up to fresh perspectives and innovative ways of thinking.

This time of reflection isn’t just about minor adjustments or tweaking schedules; it’s about a deeper, more meaningful reevaluation of how we envision our future. With the insights of thought leaders like Oprah Winfrey, Charlie Munger, and Mark Manson to guide us, we can cultivate a renewed sense of purpose in our planning. Their wisdom encourages us to look beyond conventional methods and to find a planning style that truly resonates with our personal aspirations and core values.

Oprah Winfrey: Envisioning a Purpose-Driven Path

Oprah Winfrey, an emblem of empowerment and transformation, eloquently stated, “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.” When it comes to planning, it’s not just about setting goals; it’s about envisioning a life that resonates with our deepest values and aspirations. It is greatly empowering to let this vision guide our goals and actions, making our planning a powerful tool for personal fulfilment.

Charlie Munger: The Art of Reversal

Investment sage Charlie Munger promoted the practice of inversion: “Invert, always invert.” Apply this to your planning process. Think about what could lead to failure and how to avoid those pitfalls. This approach helps identify potential obstacles in advance, making your plans more robust and achievable. There’s another great proverb that says ‘If you can’t solve a problem, turn it upside down!’ This immediately gives us a different perspective on what we’re facing and helps us approach the problem with new insight.

Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Prioritising

Author Mark Manson brings a pragmatic perspective on setting priorities. “You cannot be everything you want to be, but you can be a lot more of who you already are,” he suggests.

This year, let your planning focus on enhancing and prioritising aspects of your life that truly matter. Identify your core values and ensure your goals are in harmony with them.

Remember, the effectiveness of a plan lies not in its rigidity but in its adaptability to life’s dynamics while keeping us anchored to what truly matters.

By embracing this timeless approach to planning, we open ourselves up to growth, achievements, and fulfilment, inspired by the profound insights of these thought leaders. Let’s make our planning journey not just about reaching destinations but about enjoying the path itself, with a strategy that truly reflects who we are and what we aspire to be.

“He’s making a list, and checking it twice;
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.”

You’ve probably heard that line once or twice, right? For those who celebrate Christmas, there’s a tradition that speaks to Santa Claus having two lists, and only the kids on the nice list (good and well-behaved)… get gifts. Interestingly, this is not a Christmas-time tradition, but rather a parenting hack designed to keep kids in line during the rest of the year! For sure, it’s more prominent in October and November, and even the first stressed-out weeks of December, but many parents keep it in their bag of last-resort techniques to achieve their desired outcomes.

But – there’s a different list that plays a much more supportive role in our continuous quest for efficiency and productivity – and it may be the only list you have to worry about.

It’s the humble checklist that emerges as a surprisingly powerful tool.

Often overlooked in its simplicity, a checklist, when crafted thoughtfully, can streamline our days, elevate productivity, and reduce stress. However, it’s startling to note that despite their potential, many of us are not harnessing the full power of checklists.

The first step towards an effective checklist is a complete brain dump. This process involves writing down every task, project, goal, and to-do item, crowding your mind. This isn’t just about organising tasks; it’s about relieving the cognitive load. By transferring your mental clutter onto paper or a digital tool, you free up mental space, allowing for clearer thinking and focus.

Once you’ve listed everything, it’s time to separate and prioritise these tasks. The Eisenhower Matrix is a valuable tool here, helping you categorise tasks by urgency and importance. Break them down into four categories: Urgent and Important, Not Urgent but Important, Urgent but Not Important, and Not Urgent and Not Important. This categorisation clarifies what requires immediate attention and what can wait, thereby structuring your day more effectively.

A Morning Routine list is another crucial element. Starting each day with a simple, consistent routine primes your brain for productivity. Whether it’s hydrating, eating a healthy breakfast, stretching, doing a plank, or meditating, these activities signal to your brain that it’s time to switch into a productive state.

Connecting tasks to overarching goals is also essential. For each task, ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” Understanding the purpose behind each task ties them to your broader goals. This connection is crucial because goals fuel motivation, and motivation enhances productivity.

However, the key to a successful checklist is not to overload it. Being busy doesn’t necessarily equate to being productive. Limiting yourself to 3-5 major tasks and 1-2 minor tasks per day can prevent burnout and maintain motivation. This approach aligns with research suggesting that people with checklists complete their work 40% faster. But the efficiency isn’t just in the doing; it’s in the strategic planning and prioritising of what needs to be done.

In conclusion, the art of creating and using checklists is deeply rooted in psychology. It’s about understanding how our brains work, what motivates us, and how we can best organise our time and resources. A well-crafted checklist is more than a to-do list; it’s a roadmap for a productive, less stressful, and more fulfilling day.

Remember, the power of the checklist lies not in its length, but in its relevance and alignment with your personal and professional goals.

Life only seems to get busier – no matter how hard we try to slow things down. It’s easy to fall into a pattern of viewing tasks and responsibilities as burdens, things we ‘have to’ do. This mindset, often a default setting, can make our days feel heavy and obligatory.

But what if we could shift this perspective? What if, instead of ‘I have to’, we started saying ‘I get to’? This simple linguistic flip can transform our approach to everyday life, infusing it with gratitude and positivity.

The ‘get to’ philosophy is rooted in gratitude. It’s about seeing the tasks, challenges, and even the mundane aspects of our lives as opportunities or privileges.

For instance, consider the phrase, ‘I have to go to work.’ Now, reframe it as, ‘I get to go to work.’ The latter implies gratitude for employment, for the ability to contribute skills, and for the daily experiences that work brings. This mindset doesn’t just add a positive spin to our tasks; it fundamentally alters our relationship with everyday life, highlighting the privileges we often take for granted.

Traditions, whether they are cultural, familial, or personal, are a splendid canvas for the ‘get to’ mindset. Let’s take holiday traditions, for example. The preparation for these events can sometimes feel overwhelming — a list of things we ‘have to’ do. But if we shift our perspective to ‘get to,’ we start to appreciate these moments differently. We ‘get to’ prepare a family meal, a chance to nurture and bond. We ‘get to’ decorate our homes, an opportunity to create beauty and share joy.

Even in the realm of financial planning, the ‘get to’ mindset can be revolutionary. Instead of viewing budgeting as a restrictive chore, we can see it as gaining control and clarity over our finances. It’s not ‘I have to save for retirement,’ but ‘I get to secure my future.’ This mindset makes the journey towards financial goals less about deprivation and more about empowerment and future possibilities.

And, there’s a ripple effect in thinking this way…

Adopting the ‘get to’ mindset can have a profound ripple effect on our well-being. It fosters an attitude of thankfulness and abundance, linked to better mental health, more satisfying relationships, and a greater sense of fulfilment. This perspective encourages us to find joy in the ordinary, to cherish the small moments, and to approach life with a renewed sense of purpose.

As we navigate through our daily lives, let’s challenge ourselves to reframe our thoughts. Each ‘get to’ is an invitation to acknowledge and celebrate the many blessings we often overlook. By embracing this mindset, we’re not just changing how we speak; we’re transforming how we think, feel, and interact with the world. Let’s turn every ‘have to’ into a ‘get to,’ and watch as our lives unfold with a renewed sense of gratitude and joy.